Obesity-Cancer Module for Workplace Wellness Created by Roswell Park Researchers

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Scientists at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a new approach to address health issues among Native Americans. The effort was led by Rodney Haring, PhD, MSW, Assistant Professor of Oncology in the Office of Cancer Health Disparities Research at Roswell Park, and bridges the development of employee assistance programs (EAP) and disease management toward the goal of reducing the risk for obesity-related cancers among indigenous and Native American populations.

A research article highlighting the development of this tool appears in the Journal of Indigenous Wellbeing. The culturally sensitive module features units on obesity-related cancer warning signs, diet and physical activity guidance, stress management, goal setting and links users to appropriate resources.

“The importance of finding preventive measures and new interventions to understand and address obesity and its relationship to cancer is paramount for populations such as Native Americans and other minority communities who are often diagnosed in later stages for obesity-related cancers,” says Dr. Haring, an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation. “This research begins to fill the void by creating a culturally attuned intervention module to address health disparities within the context of a workplace setting.”